Woodsafe Establishes Woodsafe Group AB With Johan Padel as Chairman

Woodsafe is establishing Woodsafe Group AB, bringing its businesses under a unified group structure with Johan Padel, former head of Holmen's Wood Products business area, as Chairman. The company said the move follows the acquisition of Munktorps Träförädling this summer and substantial investment in its Västerås facilities. The details were reported by news.cision.com.

Woodsafe Group Board and Management

The Board comprises five directors: Chairman Johan Padel; Johan Wigelius; Jarmo Kääriäinen; Leonthin Strömberg, representing the next generation of ownership; and Thomas Bengtsson, Woodsafe's founder and owner. Padel brings leadership experience in the timber industry, including his former role as head of Holmen's Wood Products business area, with expertise spanning industrial development, international business and board governance.

"Woodsafe and the people leading its businesses have made a very positive impression. There is a strong entrepreneurial spirit, deep expertise and a clear ambition to develop. I see considerable potential in building on the strengths of the individual businesses and making the most of the opportunities across the Group," Padel said.

Johan Wigelius, former majority owner of Munktorps Trä and active within the Optimera Group for the past eight years, contributes knowledge of timber processing, distribution and business development. Jarmo Käärinen, a partner at Bergenstråhle & Partners, has worked closely with Woodsafe for many years and brings legal and strategic business expertise.

"Given our growth and development, this is a natural next step. We are bringing together our own experience with external perspectives and broad industrial expertise. I very much look forward to working with the new Board and to what we can achieve together," Bengtsson said.

Woodsafe Group comprises Woodsafe Timber Protection, Munktorps Träförädling, Woodsafe Research & Development, Woodsafe Facilities and Woodsafe International. The businesses combine industrial fire-retardant treatment and timber processing with research, testing and technical advisory services. Woodsafe Facilities is responsible for property and infrastructure, while Woodsafe International will develop the Group's international business and market expansion.

Munktorps Träförädling Acquisition and Group Scale

According to akta.pro company records, Woodsafe Group acquired 100% of Munktorps Träförädling AB from Optimera Sverige AB in May 2026, adding planing, painting and wood-processing capacity in Köping. The same records show Woodsafe's turnover was 105 MSEK in 2023, compared with 117 MSEK in 2022, and EBITDA was 55.4 MSEK in 2023, compared with 40.4 MSEK the previous year. The records also show Woodsafe handles over 1,200 unique projects per year, with some sources citing over 1,400 projects annually.

Woodsafe Group's Next Steps

The new organisation clarifies responsibilities across ownership, the Board, group management and subsidiaries. Group management will lead the shared strategy and coordinate business development, while each subsidiary retains operational responsibility and its focus on customers and profitability. Working with group management, the Board will set the direction for the next phase of development, focusing on profitable growth, investment and stronger competitiveness.